Shipping a car across the country is one of those things that sounds like a pain until you realize how it works.
With nearly 26 million Americans making the move in 2024 alone, more people than ever are realizing the smart way to transport vehicles without adding thousands of miles to the odometer.
Here’s the thing:
Driving cross-country takes days, wears down your car and costs more than most people realize when you factor in gas, hotels and food.
Car shipping takes care of all of the above in one fell swoop.
You’ll Learn:
- Why Car Shipping Beats Driving Every Time
- Open vs Enclosed Transport Explained
- How to Choose the Best Option for Your Vehicle
- Getting The Best Price on Your Car Shipment
Why Car Shipping Beats Driving Every Time
Consider what a cross-country car drive entails.
Days of driving, hotel stays, meals, gas stops and general misery. Not to mention how rough on your vehicle the whole thing is.
Ship your car and the situation is flipped on its head. You and your automobile are on a first-name basis with airline pilots.
The car shipping industry is a $10.1 billion market for a reason. Transporting your ride with professionals is the best option for your car if you’re relocating long distances. If you want to get an estimate for car shipping before making a decision, that’s always a good place to start.
It’s all pretty straightforward, but here’s where it gets even better:
Professional auto transport companies handle all of the details. Pickup, transport and delivery are done with equipment, insurance and expertise you don’t have.
Open vs Enclosed Transport Explained
And this is where most people get lost.
When booking cross country car shipping, you have to pick between two main methods. Knowing the difference is important.
Open Transport is the most common and affordable method. Cars are transported on an open-air carrier with other vehicles.
Some important facts:
- Open transport is the most cost-effective, usually 30-40% less than enclosed.
- Open transport is available widely, easier to book and faster pickup.
- Open transport is perfectly safe. It’s how dealerships get new cars from the factory to their lots.
The drawback? Open transport leaves your vehicle exposed to the elements. Dust, rain and road debris during transit can take their toll on the exterior.
Enclosed transport, as the name implies, puts your vehicle in an enclosed trailer. This is best for:
- Classic cars
- Luxury vehicles
- High-value autos
- Motorcycles and specialty vehicles
The added protection is of course more expensive, but for cars you truly can’t put a price on, enclosed transport is worth it.
How to Choose the Best Option for Your Vehicle
Figuring out which type of auto transport to choose for your vehicle is not hard when you know what to look for.
The basics:
Check Licensing: A legitimate auto transport company is required to have a USDOT number. It takes seconds to check at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s website.
Read Reviews: Real people who have actually used the service tell you everything you need to know. Search for trends in customer comments. One negative review is no big deal. A theme of problems across multiple accounts is a red flag.
Understand Insurance: Get clear on coverage amounts and what happens if damage occurs. Reputable auto shippers carry cargo insurance to protect your vehicle.
Get Multiple Quotes: Rates vary widely from one provider to another. Getting 3-5 quotes gives you a good idea of what the service should cost.
Something most people miss:
The lowest price isn’t always the best value. Auto transport companies that undercut the market usually make up the difference by cutting corners elsewhere.
Getting The Best Price on Your Car Shipment
Costs for car shipping vary based on a few different factors. Understanding them helps you budget better and maybe save a few bucks.
The biggest factors are:
- Distance – naturally longer trips cost more, but per-mile rates go down.
- Size of your vehicle – bigger means it takes up more space on the carrier.
- Transport type – enclosed is more than open.
- Pickup and delivery locations – door-to-door is pricier than terminal-to-terminal.
- Time of year – summer is peak moving season and prices are highest.
If you want to save money, here are some tips:
- Be flexible with pickup and delivery dates. Carriers fill routes based on their own schedule and will often give you a better rate if you’re flexible.
- Choose terminal-to-terminal service if possible. Delivering and picking up from an in-terminal location instead of a door saves the carrier the fee they charge for door service.
- Book as early as you can. Last-minute auto transport costs a lot more. Early booking allows the carrier to plan your vehicle into an efficient route.
- Ship during off-peak seasons. Winter months have the lowest demand and therefore the best pricing.
Busiest car shipping origins and destinations in the US include Los Angeles, Houston, New York City, Miami and Dallas. Rates between these metros and others are often better because of the heavy carrier traffic.
The Car Shipping Process Step-by-Step
If you know what to expect, the whole car shipping process is easy.
Step 1: Get Your Quote: Provide all of the relevant details about your car, where you are shipping from and where you are going.
Step 2: Book Your Shipment: Choose a company, lock in the booking and make your deposit.
Step 3: Prepare Your Vehicle: Remove all personal items, ensure the car starts and runs and take photos to document existing damage before transport.
Step 4: Vehicle Pickup: The carrier shows up where you told them to, you fill out an inspection report together on the condition of the vehicle and the driver takes it from there.
Step 5: Transit: Your vehicle makes the journey to its destination. Most companies provide shipment tracking updates during transit.
Step 6: Delivery and Inspection: The vehicle is delivered and you need to inspect it and sign off on its condition.
There’s not much more to it than that.
Wrapping Things Up
Shipping a car is a stress-free way to handle long-distance moves. It’s far easier to fly to your new location and have your vehicle arrive safely than it is to spend days behind the wheel.
To briefly recap what’s most important:
- Get multiple quotes, verify company credentials
- Choose open or enclosed transport based on your vehicle’s value
- Book as far in advance as possible and be flexible for lower rates
- Document your car inside and out before and after transport
Professional car shipping exists because it provides real value. Millions of vehicles are shipped each year using the exact methods I’ve laid out here.
Whether you’re moving for work, buying a car out of state or just moving somewhere new, professional car shipping is the smart way to get your ride there without having to drive it yourself.
